Lowest cost of living- NV, NM, CO, or AZ? (Las Vegas: assessor, houses)

[socalscott]

I saw that Chico/Paradise, CA is -31% lower cost than SD. Hard to beat really.
I'm thinking most of us forget there's still affordable living in Cali..

[nevada49]

I found this discussion useful, as I have had my heart set on retiring in Reno/Sparks area, but prices are out of sight. I would have to work a few more years to afford it, but don't really want to do that. I had just started to consider Northern New Mexico, so I am now sending for real estate info on adult communities in that area. Thanks for all the good info from all you posters.

[jimbo]

Try these web sites: (broken link)
Moderator cut: link removed, competitor site
(broken link)

COL by cost type cost $20 each but can be found on-line.

Make sure the figure is current less than 6 mos. old.

[greatbasinguide]

Winters are mild, some snow,, temps in the 40's and 50's. Winter is relatively short compared to 50 miles west, where winter comes in November and sticks around till April.

The worst problem in Reno is the winter air quality,, poor,,, and sometimes long periods of fog.

It is the desert and Precip overall is less than 20 inches per year.

[azgirlnd]

I heard Silver City, NM is beautiful and now one of the top 10 places to retire. Arizona does have crime (who doesn't, I came from North Dakota and last week a girl was murdered outside her apt building) but it does have some really nice 55 and older communities with good security- try Sun City and Mesa for those. It does get hot but then there is something to wearing sandels in December.

[jlvs2run]

Originally Posted by JLC

Seems I am definitely going to scratch Nevada, as Reno/Sparks was the only area I was considering, but I'll keep looking at high elevation places in AZ, CO, and NM. It does look as if New Mexico is, indeed, the cheapest of the four states to live in.

I was considering NM but it is very humid there in the summers. This summer the dew point there got up above 70.

Reno and Las Vegas are expensive but there might be some other more reasonable areas in Nevada.

How did you determine the cost of living in NV is so much higher than the others?

[RAYJ89108]

Having lived in eachof the states you are inquiring, let me say that New Mexico is the place you want.

Nevada and California is WAY too high. Seems folks in Nevada must all make over 6 figures a year according to the way they are taxed and etc.

I lived in Carlsbad, NM for 6 years and even though there is really NOTING to do there, it was not too long a drive to get to the 'action"

[greatbasinguide]

Nevada has no income tax,,, normal sales tax of 7 to 8 percent, property tax can run up to 3 percent, as opposed to CA 1% plus addons..

Nevada ranks 38th out of 50 California ranks 20 out of fifty for tax burden

New Mexico is a fine state... you will like it.

[olecapt]

Originally Posted by greatbasinguide

Nevada has no income tax,,, normal sales tax of 7 to 8 percent, property tax can run up to 3 percent, as opposed to CA 1% plus addons..

Nevada ranks 38th out of 50 California ranks 20 out of fifty for tax burden

New Mexico is a fine state... you will like it.

Nevada property taxes in at least Clark and Washoe counties are effectively capped at 1% or below. May be more in the rural counties.

[greatbasinguide]

Respectfully, I have to disagree, My Washoe taxes are 3.5492,

My Lander taxes 3.3647, Humboldt 2.6615 and Esmeralda 3.0190

Clark County is; 3.0782